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She was also 19, which was the age the shows casting directors were looking for.
Justin Downing/Netflix
I was like, Well, of course, Im going to apply.
I love this show.
What do I have to lose?
Meg Bellamy and Ed McVey attend the Los Angeles premiere of Netflix’sThe Crownseason 6, part 1, on November 12, 2023.
Bellamy says with a laugh.
I sent a self-tape first, and then you do more in-person screen tests.
It was a long process but it all worked out well.
Getty Images; Netflix
Even so, Bellamy is relishing in the career highlight when and where she can.
I think you never get used to these things, she said.
Maybe not, but you also never forget your first.
Meg Bellamy in episode 607 ofThe Crown.
What was that like?
Meg Bellamy:Yeah.
I think the idea of it was more nerve-racking than the reality.
You obviously have pressure not just from playing a real person, but alsoThe Crownis such an incredible show.
I felt very strongly that I didnt want to let anybody down.
But then when youre on set, its so intimate and welcoming and friendly.
It is such a well-oiled machine, so I could just do my work and take pride in it.
It is really a team effort, which I think makes it much less daunting.
Speaking of a team effort, you mentioned being a huge fan ofThe Crownbefore you joined the show.
What was it like when you met the cast for the first time?
I met everyoneall the cast, producers, directors, heads of departments.
It was very surreal and it all came at once, which was just very exciting.
Have you been following Kate and the rest of the royal family over the years?
I grew up very aware of the royal family.
I just didnt necessarily have any strong feelings towards them.
But Ive always been fond of Kate.
Just from researching her, I grew even more fond.
You feel closeness to someone when you study them all day, every day.
I really admire her as a leader and I think shes awesome.
I love what Peter Morgans done with her character in the script.
As you were doing research, is there anything you wish you could have asked Kate?
Probably her decision to change from Edinburgh University to St. Andrews, because initially, she wasnt going there.
I think theres a lot of speculation that thats all because of Prince William.
I know as much as anybody else.
Was that something that he totally fictionalized?
Im not too sure.
There were rumors that they had met before.
I mean, of course you wouldve been aware of him growing up.
I didnt read that that actually happened.
Or that Princess Diana was there.
Because what are the chances?
Was there an element of Kates look that you really loved getting to delve into?
Or something that surprised you?
Oh, my gosh, so much of it.
It was so fascinating.
I loved every fitting, just seeing what they pulled from the rack and stuff.
I dont own any low-rise jeans, I never have.
[Costume designers Amy Roberts and Sidonie Roberts] did so well.
They had a whole mood board of lots of outfits that were inspired by her.
We’d often try something on, and then Sidonie would be like, “Look.”
She’d point to a photo of Kate and it was the exact same cardigan or something.
They sourced it from all over the world.
Sidonie got loads of stuff at a dog rescue charity shop, actually.
It just shows you might still access those pieces of history everywhere.
How did you work on Kates voice?
Because we didnt really hear Kate speak until she did the engagement interview with Prince William in 2010.
Maybe she wouldnt be as poised.
Maybe she wouldve been more relaxed around the people that shes closest with.
Also, with the voice, pitching it higher to appear younger, things like that.
Working on it with William Conacher, our dialect coach, was really, really fascinating.
Where did you grow up compared to where she did?
I grew up in Berkshire.
We are in the same county.
So do you feel even more of a connection to her after playing her?
Have you had Google alerts set to her?
Her hair is so amazing, and so is yours.
Did you learn any Kate Middleton hair tricks?
I dont think I cut my hair for six, seven months.
Meg Bellamy in episode 607 ofThe Crown.
What about her makeup?
Anything that surprised you?
So just little intricate things that I really get nerdy about.
Lastly, tell us a fun fact about yourself.
My middle name is Kate and my old email had my middle name in it.
I think everybody that I emailed was like, Did you change your email because you got the role?
Im like, No, its my middle name.'
